We are always quick to wash, clean and replace socks and underwear. But what about contacts?
Contact lenses are medical devices that come in direct contact with the eyes. But sometimes we don’t treat them with the respect they deserve.
The truth is that improper care of contact lenses could have a permanent effect on vision. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 40 and 90 percent of contact wearers do not take proper care of their lenses.
Haphazard contact lens care can lead to eye irritation, pink eye or ulcers. And in the worst-case scenario, eyesight loss. In fact, up to one out of 500 contact lens wearers will get a serious infection every year.
So just what can you do to ensure impeccable contact lens care? Following are five steps to make routine.
1. Make hand hygiene a habit.
It is essential to wash hands before putting in or taking out contacts. Failing to do so could lead to an infection, and it doesn’t stop there.
Of equal importance is taking the time to dry hands thoroughly. This is a step that many contact lens wearers are unaware of.
“The first rule I give any contact lens wearer is that you must always wash and dry your hands before handling contact lenses,” says Dr. Timothy Cundiff, a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry who currently practices in Illinois. “Don’t forget to dry your hands thoroughly as well, because tap water contains bacteria. When we drink tap water, our body can tolerate it. But our contact lenses act like sponges and can retain the bacteria from the water. It then presents a risk of transferring that bacteria to your eye.”
2. Clean contacts appropriately.
Appropriate contact lens care means understanding the ins and outs of bacteria. In particular, this applies to “No-Rub” contact solutions.
“Even though some contact lens solutions tout that they are so good that they are a no-rub’ solution, this isn’t exactly accurate,” Cundiff says. “These solutions are good enough to kill bacteria, but they’re not good enough to remove all of the buildup that gets caked onto the contacts.”
This buildup can include oils from tears, makeup and debris from the environment. This means removing buildup manually — even with no-rub solutions – is necessary.
“You have to use some elbow grease,” Cundiff says. “Take the time to rub your contacts in your palm using your index finger and contact lens solution. That extra step helps improve the comfort of your eyes and also lessens your risk for infection.”
In addition, avoid cleaning and storing contacts with tap water.
“Always make it a point to have an extra bottle of solution,” Cundiff says. “This preplanning is crucial due to the significant risks from cleaning or storing contact lenses with tap water.”
3. Steer clear of cheap solutions.
It’s easy to pick up the least expensive bottle of contact lens solution, but this choice is definitely not the best. That’s because generic solutions may not offer the same quality product as name brands.
“Generic solutions use various preservatives that we as professionals aren’t aware of,” Cundiff says. “Some people do fine with these options, but we will commonly see patients that have reactions to these solutions.”
Cundiff attributes this to the fact that generic companies don’t indicate all of the chemicals found in solutions.
“We don’t really know what they’re using,” he notes.
Most professionals recommend name-brand solutions like Opti-Free and Renu. “These solutions contain a recipe that is most compatible with a wide array of contact lenses,” Cundiff says. “And we know all of the chemicals that are included. We like the consistency because we know you’re getting the same product and having the same interaction day in and day out.”
4. Clean your contact case.
Make it a point to change the solution and clean the contact case every night. This greatly lowers the risk of infection.
“Your case collects bacteria. It gets dirty,” Cundiff says. “Clean it with antibacterial pump soap and water and let it air dry during the day. In addition, squirt contact lens cleaning solution into the case and take the time to rub it.”
And don’t let fingernails prevent this necessary step. This could be a recipe for disaster. “If you have nails, try to use a knuckle or the side of your finger,” Cundiff adds.
Change contact lens cases regularly. Don’t try to use the same case all year. “Replace your case each time you get a new bottle of solution,” Cundiff says. “This makes changing your case routine.”
5. Replace contact lenses appropriately.
One of the biggest mistakes that contact lens wearers make is not replacing lenses in a timely manner. This can lead to serious complications.
All brands of soft contact lenses are different. They vary in material, plastic and oxygen transmission. Due to these differences, the FDA determines an appropriate wearing schedule limitation. Some are approved for monthly replacement, while others are two-week replacement lenses.
“If you have a two-week contact lenses, you shouldn’t stretch it for a month,” Cundiff says. “The reason a contact lens has this lifespan (two weeks vs. one month) is because the material breaks down with time. As a result, it doesn’t allow as much oxygen flow to your cornea.”
This leads to build-up that could cause an unnecessary infection.
“The more build-up that gets caked on the lens, the dirtier it is,” Cundiff says. “Therefore, the more frequently you replace your contact lenses, the safer your eyes will be.”
6. See your doctor for your annual exam.
Cundiff says that doctors need to see patients yearly for an important reason.
“Of course we want to make sure the prescription isn’t changing. But more importantly, we are examining the cornea to make sure it is healthy and to make sure that there is no irritation or problems from the wear and tear of the contact lenses,” he notes.
And don’t think that a lack of symptoms equates to a reason to forego that yearly visit. Many problems do not present symptoms in their early stages.
“Once symptoms do occur, it usually means the problem has already escalated to a bigger issue,” Cundiff says. “Your optometrist needs to evaluate your cornea under the microscope to make sure there are no signs of inflammation and to make sure there are no future problems developing.”
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